BOOTES, India’s first Net-Zero Company Awards PR Mandate to PRable Global

26th April 2024, New Delhi: PRable Global, one of India’s new-age PR agencies, has been awarded strategic communications and PR mandate from BOOTES, India’s first net zero company working towards Mr. Modi’s ambitious vision of achieving net zero by 2070.

The partnership is founded on a shared vision for technological innovation and sustainability. In this new collaboration, PRable

Global will implement comprehensive strategies to enhance BOOTES positioning as a forefront leader in the NetZero construction-tech industry.

India’s first Net-Zero company, BOOTES, is synonymous with innovation in India’s construction landscape, spearheading a paradigm shift towards sustainable Net-Zero infrastructure. The company is committed to revolutionizing the industry, one eco-friendly project at a time. In their quest for a greener, healthier Bharat, BOOTES is not just building structures but rather crafting a sustainable legacy. The company’s vision transcends traditional construction norms. As architects of change, they envision a future powered by 100% on-site energy generation, thereby reducing carbon footprints and operational costs. Their projects, like the Net-Zero Jhansi Library, Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta Museum, Haryana, Pradhan Mantri Sangralahaya, Delhi, 354 Hudson Street, New York, World Expo India Pavilion, Dubai, etc., spanning the length and breadth of India, echo their unwavering commitment to PM Modi’s vision of a Net-Zero nation by 2070.

Speaking on the collaboration, Deepak Rai, Managing Director BOOTES said, “We are delighted to have PRable Global as our strategic communications partner because of their strong capabilities across verticals. I am confident that our partnership will lead to increased awareness and appreciation of our brand presence.”.

Commenting on the mandate, Aman Singh Madaan, Founder at PRable Global, said, “BOOTES is a revolutionary company that is helping achieve India’s net-zero goals. We are excited to partner with them for PR. We believe that with our impactful tools and approach to media relations, we can showcase BOOTES’s ethos that is rooted in Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

PRable Global will take on a pivotal role in positioning BOOTES’ as a market leader. With a history of successful collaborations with renowned brands like MG Motor, SEPC by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Big Boy Toyz, Intellect Design, Landmark, Muffin, Netmeds, Adrenaline e-Systems, Lectrix EV, Ankur Suman, and more, PRable Global brings a wealth of experience to further amplify BOOTES market presence.

Ransomware Trends and Shifts in the Cyber Threat Landscape

Arete incident response engagements and explores the rise and fall of ransomware variants, trends in ransom demands and payments, impacts on critical infrastructure, and what Arete expects to see in 2024.

Here are the key findings:

• · Arete observed threat actors continually evolve their operations to become faster, stealthier, and wealthier. These changes ranged from new methods to bypass security defenses to new techniques for exfiltrating and posting stolen data.
• · A ransom was paid in just 31.3% of engagements in 2023, driving threat actors to become more aggressive in negotiation techniques and demand notably larger ransoms.
• · Threat actors faced increased pressure from law enforcement, including the successful disruption of the Hive ransomware operation and a temporary ransomware takedown of ALPHV/BlackCat

Arete transforms the way organizations prepare for, respond to, and prevent cybercrime. With decades of industry experience, Arete’s team combines hundreds of investigative, technical, and cyber risk management practitioners with best-in-class data and software engineers. This elite team of experts provides unparalleled capabilities to address the entire cyber incident life cycle, from incident response and restoration to advisory managed security services.

Provident Housing Secures INR 1,150 Crores Investment from HDFC Capital, with a potential GDV of INR 17,100 Crores

Mumbai,26th April 2024: Provident Housing Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Puravankara Limited – one of India’s most trusted and admired real estate companies, announces a significant deal with HDFC Capital. The INR 1,150 crore investment marks a milestone in the company’s journey of growth and expansion.

This strategic collaboration will add 6.2 million square feet of new residential projects to the ongoing 14.8 million square feet with a combined GDV of INR 17,100 crores, which will be delivered over the next five to six years. Provident, a large-scale community developer, has so far completed 15.1 million square feet of projects across the country with a presence in nine cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Mumbai, and Pune.

This partnership with HDFC Capital will help strengthen Provident Housing Limited’s commitment to leveraging alliances to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the real estate sector. With this investment, the company is poised for expansion, focusing on innovation, quality, customer-centricity, and sustainable project development.

Commenting on this investment, Ashish Puravankara, Managing Director, Puravankara Limited, said, “We are delighted to partner with HDFC Capital – an entity with a longstanding history of excellence. This deal reinforces the confidence of our institutional investors in the company’s corporate governance and the way we conduct our business. We stay committed to developing international quality homes, delivered on time with trust and transparency.”

Vipul Roongta, Managing Director & CEO, HDFC Capital, said, “HDFC Capital is committed to long-term partnerships with marquee real estate leaders like Puravankara with an excellent track record of development and delivery. Through our partnership with Puravankara, we will focus on meeting the increasing demand for high-quality homes for mid-income households in India.”

Mallanna Sasalu, CEO, Provident Housing Limited, said, “This strategic alliance with HDFC Capital marks a pivotal moment in Provident’s journey towards growth and acquiring larger market share. With HDFC Capital’s support, we are well-positioned to accelerate the development of new residential projects across India while delivering exceptional value to our customers and driving long-term shareholder value.”

Kunal Wadhwani, Principal Investments, HDFC Capital, said, “Our collaboration with Puravankara, a leading pan-India developer, helps address the significant demand for high-quality homes at affordable prices and is in line with HDFC Capital’s strategy of catering to the largely unmet demand in the mid-income residential segment.”

Neeraj Gautam, Group President of Finance, highlighted the importance of this investment, stating, “This marks a significant evolution in our investment strategy, signaling the beginning of larger partnerships and transactions that align with the overarching vision for the Group.”

Embarking on a new era: Indiatimes 2.0 redefines digital storytelling for modern youth

New Delhi, 26th April 2024: Indiatimes, the lifestyle brand of Times Internet, has long been hailed as the ultimate digital destination for youth. From the latest trends to timeless classics, the brand curates diverse content reflecting the preferences of today’s youth. With a fresh zeal to inform, educate, and empower the youth, Indiatimes embarks on a new content creation journey with Indiatimes 2.0.

The brand’s new avatar goes beyond mere information delivery; it aims to become a social-savvy brand and spark thoughts, ignite debates, and foster meaningful conversations. Indiatimes will buzz with a new style and format of content, blending humor and quirkiness with thought-provoking narratives. Debates, polls, contests, and tête-à-têtes with fan-favorite influencers on social media will place the audience at the center stage of India’s most happening scenes.

Abhijeet Anand, Business Head of Indiatimes, expressed his enthusiasm for this transformative journey, stating, “As the premier lifestyle platform under Times Internet, Indiatimes has always been at the forefront of creating trendsetting narratives that resonate with the nation’s youth. This metamorphosis marks our most thrilling chapter yet, as we strive to set new trends with unprecedented vigor to engage with our audience like never before. As we embark on the journey for Indiatimes 2.0, we have a robust pipeline of IPs (Intellectual Properties) centered around themes such as “Make in India” (showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and innovation on a global scale), education and personal finance.”

The platform’s new coverage will deliver the latest stories from diverse fields such as lifestyle, tech, travel, personal finance, entertainment and auto. The sole commitment is to create unparalleled formats that directly resonate with Indian youth, placing them and their interests at the forefront of everything.

Job Hai partners with 100-year-old The George Telegraph Training Institute to empower students with employment opportunities

Delhi,26th April 2024 – Job Hai, a leading online recruitment platform, has announced a strategic partnership with The George Telegraph Training Institute, a renowned institution in the field of skilling and vocational training for over 100 years. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between skilled students and job opportunities, particularly in the blue-collar sector.

The George Telegraph Training Institute has decades of expertise in skilled candidates in the field of Technicians, Paramedics, Mechanics, IT hardware, and the Beauty & Wellness space.

With Job Hai’s PAN India presence, The George Telegraph Training Institute will now be able to extend its reach and offer its skilled students employment opportunities from across the country, including hyperlocal opportunities. Students will also stand a chance to utilize Job Hai’s platform and connect with renowned brands to access better-paying jobs and better growth prospects.

The George Telegraph Training Institute will also be selecting the top cohort of highly skilled students matching certain eligibility criteria who will get an opportunity to be recommended for top jobs matching their profile.

In addition to job placements, Job Hai and The George Telegraph Training Institute will work closely to develop customized training programs, tailored to meet the evolving demands of the blue-collar job market. By leveraging Job Hai’s insights into industry trends and employer requirements, The George Telegraph Training Institute will enhance its curriculum to equip students with in-demand skills and certifications of the industry.

Mr. Sanjib Kumar Das, Executive Director at the George Telegraph Group said, “The George Telegraph Training Institute has been dedicated to empowering students with practical skills for decades, and our partnership with Job Hai marks a significant milestone in our journey. Together, we will not only expand our students’ employment horizons but also ensure they are equipped with the skills relevant in today’s job market”.

Job Hai will also enable The George Telegraph Training Institute to source candidates from its platform to fulfill the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) requirements of partner organizations, thereby fostering skill development and employment generation on a larger scale.

Roushan Bharti, Business Head, Job Hai said, “The blue-collar hiring landscape in 2024 is marked by strong demand for skilled labor, a shift towards tech-integrated roles, and a critical need for bridging the skill gap. Our partnership with The George Telegraph Training Institute aligns perfectly with these trends, enabling us to empower a new generation of blue-collar professionals with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed”.

The partnership between Job Hai and The George Telegraph Training Institute demonstrates their shared commitment to delivering value to both candidates and employers. By combining their expertise and resources, these organizations have the potential to reshape the blue-collar job landscape and drive a positive change.

Viksit Bharat: IP & Social Impact – Ms. Himani Pande, IAS

New Delhi, 26th April 2024: “Viksit Bharat 2047 is about empowering people, a thriving economy, a prosperous India, and a sustainable India. IP addresses all components of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat. However, technology does not address every problem that we face today. We have to also think of the social impact our work has and not just focus on the economics, said Ms. Himani Pande Additional Secretary – Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India at ASSOCHAM’s 2nd IP Leadership Summit and Awards.

The introduction of biometrics in the PDS system has reduced pilferage through ghost beneficiaries and made ration accessible across the country. It does not however solve all problems making it important to build in civic attention to innovations and IP. Just two percent of IP Grants are commercialized, and we are in the process of framing the IP financing framework to increase that number not just for the economics but also for the societal benefits.” said Ms. Himani Pande Additional Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India.

Prof. (Dr) Unnat P. Pandit Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks (CGPDTM), Govt. of India, said “IP and innovation plays a crucial role in driving development and we are working to ensure that we offer IP-driven solutions that are developed, deployed and commercially utilized. The country needs to strengthen its IP position. Year on year we are witnessing growth in in IP filings. In FY 2023-2024, we have 90,300 patent filings which highlights the confidence of researchers in the Indian economy. There is enough traction on not just the development of a science or technology but equally on protection.”

Mr. Pravin Anand, Chairperson ASSOCHAM IPR Council and Managing Partner, Anand and Anand, said, “IP balances the old and the new, and values science as well as arts. Traditional knowledge has now been incorporated in the world of IP. Geographical indications and well-known trademarks rely upon long usage and base their strength on what is old. There have been tremendous changes in intellectual property in the past years. The need of the hour is to join hands in strengthening the IP law.”

Setting the context at the summit, Dr. Hemang Shah, Co-Chairperson ASSOCHAM IPR Council, India Engineering Lead, Qualcomm said, “We are witnessing a major rise of IP contributors in the country, large companies, domestic filers, start-ups, research and educational institutions. Looking at all the metrics, we have the right building blocks for Viksit Bharat by 2047. But to achieve that we have to make meaningful progress in terms of innovation and execution.”

Speaking at the summit, Dr. Louise Boisen, Counsellor – IPR, Danish Patent and Trademark Office said, “No country can solve every problem humanity is facing on its own. Technologies and solutions need to be transferred for greater impact. For the transfer to be a success, developers, and inventors need to be able to trust the IP system and that their intellectual property will be protected. This is important so that innovators can continue to invest in new solutions and recoup their investments to continue the cycle of innovation.”

Mr. Hiroyuki Nakano, Deputy Director, International Cooperation Division, Japan Patent Office said, “The high number of patents granted in the last year is a positive indicator of India’s technological competitiveness. Education in the field of intellectual properties is growing in importance around the world. Japan considers it a great honour to contribute to India’s capabilities in this field. More than 400 Indians have been invited to participate in training programs in Japan so far.”

Dr Jitendra Kumar, MD Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, said “India has been the knowledge generator for the world but has never commercialized it. Today, the rate of intellectual property filing in India is more than the global average. IP is the bedrock of innovation. There are lot of undercurrents of growth, all we need is how we can take this opportunity and transform it into a real promise for the country.”

Several sessions on envisioning India as an IP leader and the role of AI in IP landscapes were also held. Key path breakers and achievers in the field were also recognised with leadership awards as part of the summit.

Radio City to Redefine Entertainment with their launch on JioTV

Bengaluru, 26th April 2024: Radio City, a trailblazer in vibrant music and engaging content, is thrilled to announce its debut on JioTV. This pioneering fusion marks a significant milestone as Radio City becomes the first-ever radio station in the country to introduce a 24×7 video channel under the banner of RC Studio.

This launch on JioTV not only extends the reach of Radio City but also provides advertisers with limitless opportunities to engage with a nationwide audience. Through this association, Radio City will be able to reach out to JioTV’s massive audience base across the country. The JioTV mobile app – which has over 1,000 channels in more than 16 languages and 12 genres from over 200 broadcasters is available to all Jio subscribers across the country.

Through this launch, Radio City will touch the nerves of the younger, digitally savvy generation, leveraging their attraction to screens to reignite their interest in radio. By embracing the new digital platform, Radio City will deliver phenomenal content that echoes with the Gen Z. RC Studio will also be available on connected TVs through JioTV+ which comes as a part of JioFiber and AirFiber.

This initiative will be pivotal in bridging the gap between different audience segments and expanding Radio City’s reach to a larger demographic, creating a more inclusive and vibrant entertainment approach. The launch of RC Studio propels Radio City into the digital era by enriching the entertainment experience for its audience with the JioTV app which is now also available on MyJio app and JioBharat phones.

Ashit Kukian, CEO of Radio City, expressed his excitement: “In this exciting juncture of innovation and expansion, I am thrilled to announce the launch of our pioneering channel, RC Studio, on JioTV and JioTV+. The launch marks a historic point in our journey, reflecting our brand’s evolution and commitment to ‘Radigitalization’. Our RC Studio’s tagline, ‘Mast Raho’, encapsulates our dedication to crafting a comprehensive digital experience that caters to our existing and new audiences. Radio City has always been a frontrunner when it comes to innovative concepts, and with this launch on JioTV, we are forging the future of entertainment by providing a platform that ignites excitement and engages viewers and brands alike in ways like never before!”

The amalgamation of Radio City’s timeless audio content with dynamic visuals on JioTV and JioTV+ signifies a paradigm shift in broadcasting, breaking new ground and redefining the essence of entertainment. Combining the power of video and audio in perfect harmony will allow them to engage audiences like never before.

Radio City’s RC Studio offers an all-encompassing entertainment experience. From refreshing music to exciting content, audio narratives, and exclusive interviews with film industry luminaries, the studio promises a diverse array of elaborate content.

Manish Anandani, Kenvue speaks at the IAA & ISA Retrospect and Prospects

The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) together with The Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) hosted the IAA & ISA Retrospect and Prospects with Manish Anandani, Managing Director – India, Kenvue (erstwhile Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health) on 24th April in Mumbai. Kenvue was the presenting partner while ABP News & Fortune Edible Oils and Foods were the supporting partners for the event.

Manish Anandani, Managing Director – India, Kenvue (erstwhile Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health) the keynote speaker emphasized “The Indian FMCG industry has been a key driver contributing to India’s buoyant economy. There have been many factors like a young dynamic India, increasing urbanization, and a rising middle class which are presenting tremendous opportunities for the industry to pivot and scale. Today, we are seeing ‘Many India’ with many consumer cohorts, making it imperative for brands to design personalized, customized, and immersive campaigns to better engage with these audiences. We are also seeing big shifts in consumer behavior, with sustainability, purpose, and transparency being prioritized by the conscious consumer. These aspects will continue to shape the marketing agenda. We are excited about these opportunities and what they present for our iconic brands such as Johnson’s Baby, Stayfree, and Neutrogena.”

Avinash Pandey, President of, the IAA India Chapter and CEO, of ABP Network said “IAA has always been at the forefront of activities that benefit the Marcom Industry. Whether it be the Leadership Awards which are for the marketers, to having an all-advertising jury for our successful creative awards called IndIAA to having an annual program named the Retrospect & Prospects where a leading marketer gives a perspective of the highs and lows of the last year and some crystal ball gazing about the year ahead, we have always done path-breaking initiatives. And so, in that spirit, we have also saluted collaborations and cooperation and had the first IAA and ISA programs. I am sure this model will be appreciated and emulated in other programs as well”.

Sunil Kataria, Chairman of the India Society of Advertisers & CEO of Raymond’s Lifestyle Business said “An insightful presentation by Manish Anandani in retrospect and prospect session, dwelling into macro and micro opportunities of the India growth story driven by GDP, demographics, customer sentiments, rapid digitalization, evolving shopping & consumption behaviors has thrown interesting light on the possibilities ahead.

I am confident that our audience from IAA and ISA would have immensely benefited from the session today towards gearing up for the future”

HDFC Life & Peerless Financial Products Distribution Ltd. Forge Corporate Agency Tie-Up

Mumbai, April 25, 2024: HDFC Life, one of India’s leading insurers, and Peerless Financial Products Distribution Ltd. (PFPDL) have entered into a corporate agency tie-up. This partnership would enable PFPDL to distribute the life insurance products of HDFC Life to its customers.

PFPDL is a subsidiary of the Peerless General Finance & Investment Co. Ltd (PGFI), one of India’s oldest and biggest NBFCs in East India. PFPDL has 40 branches with a broad customer base across 42 locations.

Through this tie-up, PFPDL would offer financial protection to its customers. The Company provides both digital and physical platforms to customers thereby enabling them to choose their preferred mode of service.

Life insurance penetration in India is extremely low in comparison to the global markets. There is a strong need for the working population to secure the future for themselves and their families. HDFC Life offers a wide range of products that meet the life-stage needs of individuals, providing a financial safety net while enabling them to fulfill their long–term financial goals. The Company constantly endeavors to enhance the reach of life insurance through strategic partnerships. This tie-up with Peerless is a step towards further strengthening HDFC Life’s presence in the eastern part of the country.

In FY 2024, HDFC Life has secured more than 66 million lives with an overall claim settlement ratio of 99.7%.

Speaking about the new association, Satyaki Bhattacharya- Managing Director & CEO, of Peerless Financial Products Distribution Ltd, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with HDFC Life in our endeavor to secure families financially. Peerless group’s customer-centric approach for the last 92 years synergized with the reputed brand of HDFC life will help in creating a strong distribution network in Tier 2 and beyond cities providing innovative need-based life insurance solutions and technology-backed simplified user experience to customers.”

Speaking on the launch, Suresh Badami – Deputy Managing Director, HDFC Life said, “We are happy to announce our partnership with Peerless Financial Products Distribution Ltd. This is another step towards achieving India’s vision of ‘Insurance for All’ by 2047. We hope to leverage our distribution strength and take our insurance solutions to their entire customer base and add value to the partnership.”

Bayer Partners Government’s CSC, Gram Unnati for last-mile agri inputs delivery

New Delhi, April 25, 2024: Bayer, a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and agriculture, today announced its partnership with Gram Unnati and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)’s Common Service Center (CSC-SPV), a strategic cornerstone of the National e-governance plan which aims to usher rural India into a digitally empowered era and foster a knowledge-based economy. The strategic collaboration aims to provide Indian farmers with access to quality agri-inputs through digital capability building and strengthen rural livelihoods and farm incomes. The partnership will support farmers in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and a few other states in the first phase of execution. Besides access to the entire range of Bayer’s agri-solutions from seed to harvest, farmers can also avail of crop-specific agronomic advisory through CSC’s online platform and market access through Gram Unnati.

As part of the MoU, Smallholder farmers will be able to access timely crop advisory, transfer of good agricultural practices, and access to premium Bayer products through CSC’s online portal. Gram Unnati will facilitate farmer mobilization and ensure market linkages. Together, Bayer, CSC-SPV & Gram Unnati aims to empower over 500,000 (0.5 million) smallholder farmers over the next two years. To facilitate easy access to quality inputs, and agronomic support, and encourage agri-technology knowledge transfer based on the latest practices, Bayer will also nurture agri-entrepreneurs by leveraging village-level entrepreneurs of CSCs from within the local communities.

Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, President, Bayer, South Asia & Country Divisional Head, Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka. said, “Smallholder farmers are vital in ensuring food and nutritional security in the country and Bayer is dedicated to empowering them through the expansion of access to essential agricultural inputs and expert agronomic guidance, driven by digital innovation and collectivization. Our association with the Government of India’s Common Service Center and Gram Unnati will help bring us closer to our shared goal of empowering farmers as we bridge the gap to remote farming communities, promote financial literacy, and foster an entrepreneurial spirit leading to optimized resource utilization, and maximizing farm potential to enhance their livelihoods sustainably.”

Sanjay Rakesh, MD & CEO, CSC-SPV said, “We are excited to collaborate with Bayer and strengthen our e-commerce platform to scale support to smallholder farmers through our technology-powered ecosystem. By leveraging our synergies with Bayer Crop Science Limited, we envision sustained enhancements in rural agriculture within the identified centers. This partnership will enable last-mile access to tailored solutions, to better support the rural community and agri-entrepreneurs.”

Aneesh Jain, Founder & CEO, of Gram Unnati, said: “We are extremely delighted to work with Bayer CropScience and CSC e-Governance to play the role of a key facilitator in this ground-breaking association. We are already developing a system with CSC e-Governance to enable farmers to sell their end produce through the VLE network. This collaboration will enable farmers to get timely access to high-quality agri inputs, thus further improving their crop quality and yields too.”

The CSC scheme, a collaborative e-governance platform, is part of the Digital India program. The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) aims to facilitate the delivery of government, private, and social sector services to Indian citizens through the CSC network. It supports linkages, connecting villages in India through high-speed internet and scaling the delivery of products & services to reach the last mile.

It also offers a robust project platform for the ‘Better Life Farming Alliance’ led by Bayer CropScience Limited, through which the company can further contribute to sustainable income enhancement while promoting market-oriented agriculture practices and services amongst smallholder farmers. Under the partnership, Bayer will also facilitate women-focused training on financial literacy, management, and agri-business practices. Furthermore, the company aims to strengthen the capacities of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) in alignment with their needs to enhance business and financial management. The collaboration will also support the scaling up and increased adoption of Bayer’s digital interventions amongst smallholder farmers, across the country.

The newly announced partnership follows an ongoing pilot engagement project running between Better Life Farming centers and CSC in Jharkhand’s Lohardega district since late 2020.